1850.] 123 



cordance with those of the pure Egyptian race, as seen in the somewhat receding 

 forehead, the gently arched nose, slightly retracted chin, and general delicacy of 

 form and proportion of the facial bones. The hair was destroyed by the bitu- 

 menizing process, which has been performed in such excess as to efface the expres- 

 sion of the soft parts, and to render it impossible to measure the facial angle, or 

 the internal capacity of the cranium. 



There are one hundred and thirty embalmed Egyptian heads in the Collection 

 of the Academy, but none of them can be even proximately dated ; whence the 

 great interest that attaches to the present example. 



Two Egyptian heads were then unwrapped in the presence of the members. 

 They were both from Thebes, where they were procured by A. C. Harris, Esq. 

 of Alexandria, sent by him to Mr. Gliddon, and placed by the latter gentleman 

 in the collection of Dr. Morton. 



One of these heads, was of a man of 80 years, of Pelasgic or Graeco-Egyptian 

 form, with remarkably fine proportions and expression, and very fine hair, which 

 the embalming process had changed, as it always does, from a black to a dark 

 brown color. 



The second head was that of a female, which was unfortunately so broken 

 as to leave nothing but the cranial poition, and a profusion of the long, fine, 

 curling hair, which was one of the characteristics of the azUoctho7ies of the 

 Nile. 



December 24'th. 

 Dr. Morton, President, in the Chair. 



A letter was read from Dr. John Evans, dated St. Louis, Mo., Dec. 

 9th, 1850, acknowledging the receipt of his notice of election, as a Cor- 

 respondent. 



Also one from the New York State Library, dated Albany, Dec. 

 20th, 1850, acknowledging the reception of Part 1, Vol. 2, New Series, 

 of the Journal. 



Also one of the same import from the Smithsonian Institution, dated 

 Washington, Dec. 3d, 1850. 



Mr. Cassin read a paper intended for publication in the Proceed- 

 ings, entitled "Notice of an American species of Duck, hitherto regard- 

 ed as identical with the Oidemia fusca, Linn." Referred to Drs. Zant- 

 zinger, Townsend, and Woodhouse. 



Dr. Morton made some additional remarks on embalmed Egyptian 

 heads. 



December 31st. 



Dr. Morton, President, in the Chair. 



The committee to which was referred the following paper by Dr. 

 Leidy, reported in favor of publication in the Proceedings. 



